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Author
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Topic: Rendezvous and docking experience for Apollo
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Captain Apollo
Member Posts: 282
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 12-07-2021 02:29 PM
   
Was there ever any talk of a second Gemini flight for Gus Grissom? Wondering if or why experience of rendezvous and duration wasn't considered vital for an Apollo flight? |
Mike Dixon
Member Posts: 1584
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003
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posted 12-07-2021 03:17 PM
I guess the sheer pace of Gemini (10 flights in 2 years) dictated that work be directed at Apollo rather than burden him with a second flight and give others the much needed experience to achieve Kennedy's goal. |
oly
Member Posts: 1323
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 12-07-2021 10:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Captain Apollo:
Wondering if or why experience of rendezvous and duration wasn't considered vital for an Apollo flight?
Far from not considered vital, the Gemini Project was a spaceflight test program flown by test pilots specifically to test systems, techniques, procedures, and controls, including rendezvous and docking, that were vital to the success of Apollo.One main reason for Project Gemini was to develop and test rendezvous and docking. Accomplished following the first three crewed Gemini missions which were used to test the new Gemini spacecraft system, do the first US spacewalk, and achieve a long-duration mission. The Gemini 6A and 7 missions achieved rendezvous, and Gemini 7 stayed in space for two weeks. Gemini 8 achieved rendezvous and docking with an unmanned spacecraft in orbit. Gemini 9 tested different ways of flying near another spacecraft and included a spacewalk. Gemini 10 connected with another spacecraft and used its engines to move both vehicles. Gemini 11 flew higher than any NASA mission before, and Gemini 12 solved problems found during earlier spacewalks. An individual test pilot does not have to fly a mission to determine whether something works or does not work, they can learn from the experiences of others. The data gathered from the Gemini Program was used to develop systems and procedures for simulators and spacecraft used to train Apollo crews. Perhaps NASA determined that Grissom's attention was better focused elsewhere and that he could use the information gathered from the Gemini rendezvous and docking experiments during the development of the Apollo systems. Armstrong had never landed a spacecraft on the moon, yet he used the data and experience gathered from previous missions by other crew to achieve a successful lunar landing first go. |
Captain Apollo
Member Posts: 282
From: UK
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 12-11-2021 02:24 PM
Thank you. I hadn't appreciated how much the missions were for training and developing systems as much as the crew. The "any crew can undertake any mission" holds. |
Skylon
Member Posts: 310
From:
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 12-13-2021 07:22 AM
It should be noted, that only Wally Schirra really had any major rendezvous experience of the first Apollo commanders assigned. Grissom had none, McDivitt had the failed effort from Gemini 4 (not his fault) and Borman's role on Gemini 7 was passive. However, Slayton respected them all as engineers and for their work ethic — that counted more than experience. While, Schirra who Slayton concluded was "tired of working hard" got the short-end of the stick with Apollo 205 as his initial assignment. What Slayton did give McDivitt and Borman were CMPs with rendezvous experience in the form of Dave Scott, Tom Stafford and later Mike Collins. Grissom didn't get one since his flight wasn't planned to have a LM. Grissom likely would have gotten some rendezvous time though since I'd imagine, like Apollo 7, Apollo 1 would have done a rendezvous with the spent S-IVB stage. | |
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